Breast Starts Itching 8 Months Post Treatment

[konarhroo]

In December 2006 I was diagosnosed with non-invasive, DCIS, stage 0 (right breast) with a one centimer lump on my breast wall, which was discovered through an annual mammogram.  I underwent a lumpectomy on December 19 and two weeks later a reincision to ensure clean margins.  Six weeks later I underwent 6 weeks of radiation and exactly two weeks after completing radiation I came down with pnemonia (pneumonia) in my right lung.  Because the cyst was hormone positive, shortly thereafter I began taking 25 mg of Tamoxifen and have had a heck of a time with the side effects, which after 5 months seem to be normalizing as long as I pace myself.  I had an MRI for my six month follow up and there were no changes.  However, the past 2 or 3 weeks I have been experiencing itching on the treated breast (no rash or redness).  It start off itching occasionally at bedtime and now it is constant, but not unbearable.  Is this normal for post recovery?

[Cleveland Clinic]

Dear Konahroo, The itching may be from a variety of causes.  It could be from the healing process, however that would be expected closer to the time of your treatments.  I could think of many other reasons, however, without seeing the area, and asking other questions it’s difficult to try to pinpoint the cause.  You may ask your surgeon or radiation oncologist to take a look at the area, they can make recommendations for something to relieve the itching.